Hope Helps: Busting Bullying

Florida Atlantic University’s researchers have discovered that young people with more hope are significantly less likely to engage in bullying or online aggression. Thinking positively about one’s future, and feeling resilient and resourceful, can really make a difference, according to a study by Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College.

Hope gives young people a sense of direction and motivation, making them less likely to lash out, said Hinduja, also co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University. Instead of acting aggressively, hopeful teens are focused on achieving meaningful goals, he said.

According to the study results, simple interventions like one-on-one guidance, small group activities or hope therapy, which involve setting goals and planning ways to reach them, can help teens develop a stronger sense of purpose. Even giving students positive, meaningful roles in school can steer them toward more constructive behavior.

“Hope doesn’t just make kids feel better – it can actually reduce the likelihood of them victimizing others,” Hinduja said. “We need to prioritize hope-building whether through individual mentoring, group programs or school-wide initiatives. Intentionally fostering hope is incredibly important – not just to reducing bullying and cyberbullying, but also promoting healthier, happier and higher-achieving children.”

Read the press release.